Filmmaking.Pdf

360 Hands-on Intensive Short-term Workshops

361 HANDS-ON FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS 8, 6, 4, 3, 1-Week & 12, 6-Week Evening Short-term Intensive Workshops

Each workshop’s course of study is designed for people he New York Film Academy ofers a wide with little to no experience in making flms. The goal is variety of workshops in flmmaking that to arm students with the skills and confdence needed allow students to obtain a strong foundation to produce a well-told story with moving images. To in a short period of time. The workshops are fulfll this goal, classes and projects concentrate on the Tcomprehensive, hands-on explorations of the subject essential elements of visual storytelling, which enable that immerse students in each of the key creative roles the participant to direct a series of flms. of making flms including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing. Students have the opportunity to enroll in one of our leading flmmaking workshops at NYFA locations around This comprehensive approach gives students the the world, including New York City; Los Angeles, California; broad array of skills and experience they need to thrive South Beach, Miami; Harvard University; Florence, as flmmakers, whichever path they ultimately pursue. Italy; Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida; Doha, Qatar; In fact, students in our Filmmaking Workshops even Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Paris, France; Moscow, Russia; work in front of the camera as actors. Barcelona, Spain; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Istanbul, Turkey; Gold Coast and Sydney, Australia; Beijing, China; The curriculum outlined on the following pages is the basis Shanghai, China; Kyoto, Japan; Mumbai, India; Seoul, for learning in our short-term Filmmaking Workshops. South Korea; and Jakarta, Indonesia.

Please Note: curriculum and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up to date course information. 362 Filmmaking WORKSHOPS

TOTAL IMMERSION CLASSES The following classes are designed to be of immediate and practical use in an integrated curriculum. Each week, students are able to immediately apply the lessons learned in their classes to the films they are producing.

DIRECTOR’S CRAFT SOUND RECORDING (Excluding 1-Week) Director’s Craft introduces students to the language and This is a comprehensive class that details the process craft of flmmaking. Topics covered include storyboarding, of sound recording. It provides concepts, technical composition, camera movement, continuity, montage, information, and hands-on demonstration. Students are pacing, and rhythm. This course introduces students to introduced to various types of recording devices and the language and craft of flm directing. taught when to use them.

SCREENWRITING CREWS This course is designed to help students develop their While every student in a Filmmaking Workshop writes and scripts for their fnal flms. Students will be instructed in directs his or her own flms, it is important that students story structure, dramatic arc, creating characters, text and realize that flmmaking is a collaborative art. Students subtext, refning stories, and scriptwriting style. form three- or four-person crews and gain invaluable experience in the principal production positions: CINEMATOGRAPHY • Writer/Director/Editor/Producer In this course, students undergo intensive training in the • Director of Photography use of the HD digital motion picture cameras and their • Assistant Camera accessories. Through hands-on workshops and flm tests, • Gafer/Grip they will also learn fundamental lighting techniques. By getting behind the camera as a cinematographer, PRODUCTION WORKSHOP students train their eyes for composition and learn to The Production Workshop is designed to demystify the respect the difculties of setting up a shot. Similarly, craft of flmmaking. It is a hands-on class in which students by working as a gafer and taking responsibility for stage and shoot exercises under the supervision of the the lights, they practice how light and shadow efect instructor. The technical aspects of flmmaking are seen the flm. By working in the various crew positions, as tools to realize the story. The guiding idea is that once students gain empathy and respect for their crews, students can articulate the objective of a given scene, which is essential for successful work as a director. the necessary craft and techniques will follow. Through in-class exercises, the rules and tools of mise-en-scène ASSIGNMENTS and continuity are defned and practiced. The Film Academy faculty designed a series of flm exercises as building blocks for the fnal flm project. EDITING They are intended to instill in each student a degree Editing is an art unto itself. Regardless of the editing of confdence in visual storytelling and to provide a system a flmmaker uses, it is the editor’s ability to foundation in basic flm craft. work with the shots and tell a story that makes all the diference. Workshop students will learn how to use Those new to flmmaking begin to understand how the digital editing program Avid Media Composer. Each the disciplines of writing, cinematography, sound, and student edits his or her own flms and can supplement editing work together, while those with experience can classes with individual consultations at the editing practice and refne specifc craft skills. All students station. Students are taught the fundamental concepts should seize this opportunity to freely develop their of flm editing, both practical and aesthetic. ability to engage and entertain an audience.

Go Online at nyfa.edu for more information. 363 WORKSHOPS Filmmaking

FILM PROJECTS

MISE-EN-SCÈNE (4 & 8 Week Only) In their frst flm, students are introduced to mise-en- scène, or directing a shot to visually tell a story. Once they create a dramatic moment, they concentrate on the dynamics of the shot that will best express it. This project teaches students how the relationship of the subject and the camera creates drama. Each student designs and shoots a scene which has a beginning, middle, and end. Students learn to pay close attention to the choice of lenses, distances, and angles. Since the story must be told in no more than three shots, each shot must be staged to express as much as possible about the characters and their actions. Students should rehearse the shot for blocking of actors and camera until the scene works without needing to stop.

CONTINUITY Continuity is one of the fundamental principles of MUSIC & IMAGE modern flmmaking. By making a “continuity flm,” (Final Project for 3 and 4-week Workshops) students learn the way cuts can advance the story The third project introduces students to the while sustaining the reality of the scene. They learn relationship between sound and film, as well as to the diference between “flm time” and “real time.” narrative tools like montage and jump cuts. In this project, students are encouraged to explore a more Students are challenged to make a flm that maintains personal form of visual storytelling. continuity in story, time, and space. The action in these flms unfolds utilizing a variety of shots (10-15) in a Students choose a short continuous selection of continuous sequence (no perceptible jumps in time or music. In the editing room they cut their images to action). Students must produce a clear, visual scene work in concert with, or in counterpoint to, the music. while maintaining the truthfulness of the moment. It is Students should experiment with rhythm and pacing. essential that the audience believes in the reality of the Each student writes, directs and shoots his or her scene. Students write, direct, shoot, edit, and screen a project with digital HD cameras, edits digitally, and flm of up to several minutes in length. screens a completed Music Film.

Students must thoroughly organize and pre-produce In addition to storyboards, students may use a still their projects by completing the following elements: camera to plan their flms. This assists them in their Script, Location Scouting, Breakdown, Floor Plan, choice of locations, distances, angles, and lighting. Storyboard, and Schedule of Shots.

364 Filmmaking WORKSHOPS

FINAL FILM (8-Week only) This final film is more ambitious in scope than the previous exercises. It builds upon the foundation of skills and knowledge gained in the first half of the workshop. There is a five-day pre-production period during which students meet with faculty for consultation.

The shooting period is two days for each flm.

There are two weeks of post-production in which each student may edit from 50-100 hours. Students may use sound efects, music, voiceover, and ambient sound to help tell their stories. They apply the lessons learned through editing the frst four projects as they utilize the many transition tools, special efects, and sound design options that digital editing allows.

Films may be of any genre, and can be narrative, TEXT & SUBTEXT documentary, or experimental. In past years, many (8-Week only) of these flms have been selected and won awards This project challenges students to explore the at flm festivals, both in the U.S. and abroad. relationship between dialogue and dramatic action. It serves as the students’ frst foray into directing Each flm project is screened in class for discussion a flm with dialogue recorded on set. Students are and critique. These screenings are an important provided with short dialogue-only scripts with no part of the learning process and help students description of physical detail or action. The student improve on their next projects. There is a group director determines the “who, what, where, when, screening celebrating all fnal flms open to cast, and why” of the story. Above all, each student crew, friends, and family. director identifes the character objectives and dramatic beats of the scene. The fnal flm is part of the six-week, eight-week, evening, and one-year programs. Students will fnd that these elements determine the meaning of the dialogue and should deepen their We strongly recommend that students come to understanding of text versus subtext. the workshop with written ideas for their flms. These ideas will be developed and honed in When the fnished projects are screened in class for writing class. critique, students will discover how diferent directorial interpretations of the same scene reveal the characters and the impact and meaning of the story.

365 WORKSHOPS Filmmaking 8-Week FILMMAKING WORKSHOP

esigned for people who wish to study the craft COURSES of flmmaking in an intense schedule, the Eight- • Director’s Craft Week Filmmaking Workshop challenges students • Writing to produce fve flms over a period of two months. • Editing DStudents each direct fve short flms of increasing complexity • Hands-On Camera/Lighting which are screened and critiqued in class. • Production Workshop • Budgeting and Scheduling This program is divided into two four-week sections. The frst • Sound Design four weeks of the program are divided between in-class hands- • Crews on instruction and the production of three short flms by each • Assignments student. Students will take classes in Directing, Hands-on Camera, Writing, and Editing. Students will learn to use Canon 5D cameras, professional lighting packages, and digital editing FILM PROJECTS with Avid Media Composer. • Mise-en-scène • Continuity In the frst four weeks, students learn the basic tools of • Music & Image flmmaking and begin shooting a series of flm projects. Following • Text & Subtext production and post-production, students screen their work • Final Film with their classmates and instructors and engage in critiques and discussion.

During the second four weeks of the program, the use of dialogue is explored in the “Text & Subtext” Film, which ultimately prepares LOCATION students to take on the “Final Film” project—a flm of up to ten NEW YORK CITY; minutes with one or two tracks of sound. Students edit their LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; projects using Avid Media Composer on Apple computers and SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA; spend an additional twenty to forty hours a week on production FLORENCE, ITALY of their flm projects. Locations are subject to change. For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu At the end of the course, the fnal flms are celebrated in a screening open to cast, crew, friends, and family. All students who successfully complete the workshop receive a New York Film Academy Certifcate and leave the workshop with a digital reel of all their projects.

366 Filmmaking WORKSHOPS 6-Week FILMMAKING WORKSHOP

he Summer Six-Week Filmmaking Workshops provide COURSES students with a strong foundation in flmmaking in • Director’s Craft which the each make three flms. The longer course • Writing • Editing period (in relation to the Four-Week workshop) allows • Hands-On Camera/Lighting Tstudents to concentrate on a longer fnal flm. • Production Workshop • Budgeting and Scheduling This workshop is divided into two periods. The frst period of the • Sound Design workshop is divided between in-class hands-on instruction and • Crews the production of two short flms by each student. Students will • Assignments take classes in Directing, Hands on Camera, Writing, and Editing. Students will learn to use Canon 5D cameras, professional lighting FILM PROJECTS packages, and digital editing software, Avid Media Composer. • Continuity • Music & Image During the second period of the workshop the student devotes • Final Film his or her time solely to the Final Film project—a flm of up to ten minutes with one or two tracks of sound. Students edit their project using Avid Media Composer on Apple computers. LOCATION NEW YORK CITY; The educational objectives in the Six-Week Filmmaking LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; Certifcate Workshop are to teach students the art and craft SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA; of flmmaking and to instruct students through a strict regimen HARVARD UNIVERSITY; FLORENCE, ITALY; consisting of lectures, seminars, and total immersion workshops PARIS, FRANCE to excel in the creative art of flmmaking. Locations are subject to change. For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu Please Note: curriculum and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up to date course information.

367 WORKSHOPS Filmmaking 4 & 3-Week FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS

COURSES • Director’s Craft • Writing • Editing • Hands-On Camera/Lighting • Production Workshop • Crews • Assignments

FILM PROJECTS • Mise-en-scène (4-Week Only) • Continuity • Music & Image

his Four-Week Filmmaking Workshop provides students with a thorough introduction to the foundations of flm craft. Many LOCATION students fnd the one-month length fts conveniently into their yearly schedules. The workshop is a full-time program and 4-WEEK WORKSHOPS Tstudents must be prepared to make a serious commitment to its completion. NEW YORK CITY; LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; In select locations, a special three-week session is also available. SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA; HARVARD UNIVERSITY; FLORENCE, ITALY; During the frst week, students will learn the basic tools or flmmaking and PARIS, FRANCE; begin shooting a series of flm projects. Following production and post- BARCELONA, SPAIN production, students screen their work for their classmates and instructors and engage in critiques and discussion. 3-WEEK WORKSHOPS WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT, FL; Classes and hands-on workshops are held throughout the week and some HARVARD UNIVERSITY; weekends are reserved for additional classes or shooting. Evenings are spent KYOTO, JAPAN; on writing, location scouting, casting, and editing. The fnal week is devoted PARIS, FRANCE to shooting and editing the fnal flm, culminating in the fnal screening. Locations are subject to change. Classes in Directing, Writing, Cinematography, and Production cover the For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu creative and technical demands of telling a story. Each week all the students’ flms are screened and critiqued in class with the instructor. By the end of the workshop, students will possess the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-pressure creative environment.

368 Filmmaking WORKSHOPS

4-WEEK MUSIC VIDEO WORKSHOP

usic Video are stylistic, expressive, evocative COURSES — and a great proving ground for aspiring • Music Video Craft flm and television directors. Filmmakers like • Directing David Fincher (“Se7en”), Spike Jonze (“Being • Cinematography MJohn Malkovich”), Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”), Michael Bay • Playback • Editing (“Transformers”), McG (“Charlie’s Angels”), and Brett Ratner • Production Workshop (“Rush Hour”) began their careers by making music videos. Established directors like Martin Scorsese, Michael Apted, and John Landis choose to direct music videos as a means of LOCATION exploration. Why not follow in their footsteps? NEW YORK CITY; The New York Film Academy has created one of the most LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA intensive workshop programs to train the next generation of Locations are subject to change. For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu music video artists. Our 4-Week Music Video Workshop guides students through the process of creating their own original music videos in an immersive, hands-on program. Taught by active professional music video makers and experts, students Please Note: curriculum and projects are learn how to conceptualize their project, work with a record subject to change and may vary depending label, collaborate with a musical artist or band, produce, shoot, on location. Students should consult the direct, and edit their own music videos. NYFA encourages most recently published campus catalog students enrolled in the music video workshop to take creative for the most up to date course information. risks and fnd their own voices as visual artists.

369 1-Week FILMMAKING WORKSHOP

he One-Week Filmmaking Workshop is the most COURSES intensive, instructional one-week program in flmmaking • Director’s Craft that can be found at any flm school. In one short • Writing week, students are instructed in the basics of writing, • Story Advisement Tdirecting, camera, and digital editing, and each student writes, • Editing directs, shoots, and edits a short flm project. The pace of this • Hands-On Camera/Lighting one-week course is feverish and students must be prepared to live and breathe flmmaking for the length of their stay. LOCATION OVERVIEW NEW YORK CITY; This program begins with an intensive study in flmmaking, which LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; encompasses directing, screenwriting, and cinematography. SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA; Each student will write, direct, and edit his/her own project. They HARVARD UNIVERSITY; will also assist their classmates as key crew members on their WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT, FL; projects. These individual flm projects are edited on Avid Media FLORENCE, ITALY; Composer under the supervision of an instructor. PARIS, FRANCE; KYOTO, JAPAN; Following production and post-production, students screen their MOSCOW, RUSSIA; AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS work with their classmates, instructors, and invited guests and engage in critiques and discussion. Locations are subject to change. For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu At the end of the program, students will demonstrate the following experience and knowledge:

• Experience working independently and collaboratively in a Please Note: curriculum and projects are high-pressure creative environment. subject to change and may vary depending • Knowledge of digital cameras and motion picture production. on location. Students should consult the most • Experience working as both director and cinematographer on recently published campus catalog for the student production. most up to date course information. • Experience with Avid digital editing software. • Knowledge of aesthetic flm theory and experience with practical application of the same. 370 Filmmaking WORKSHOPS 12-week Evening FILMMAKING WORKSHOP

he Evening Workshop is the ideal program for individuals who must balance flmmaking with other responsibilities. Students meet several evenings a week and work on their flm shoots Tover the weekends.

The workshop covers roughly the same amount of ground LOCATION as the Six-Week Filmmaking Workshop. 12-WEEK EVENING WORKSHOPS NEW YORK CITY; LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA; AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Locations are subject to change. For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu

OVERVIEW The Evening Workshop gives students the instruction they need while allowing them to fulfill other obligations during the day throughout the work week. All classes are geared towards providing students with the building blocks needed to create a film.

This program comprises evening classes and weekend production sessions that take place over a twelve-week After each screening, classmates and instructors period. Students will take classes in Directing, Hands-On engage in critiques and discussion. Throughout Camera, Writing, and Editing. Students will learn to use the Evening Program, students meet with digital video cameras, professional lighting packages, and instructors for one-on-one consultations. digital editing with Avid Media Composer. Following production and post-production of the fnal project, students screen their work with their The first six weeks are devoted to the study of the four classmates, instructors, and invited guests. primary elements of filmmaking: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, and Editing. To apply the concepts they learn in class, students write, produce, direct, and edit Please Note: curriculum and projects are subject two short film exercises. to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently In the second six weeks, each student writes, directs, published campus catalog for the most up to shoots, and edits a short flm of up to ten minutes. date course information.

371 Special Holiday FILMMAKING WORKSHOP

he Holiday Filmmaking Workshop provides students with a strong foundation in flmmaking in which they each make three flms. The longer course period of six weeks allows students to T concentrate on a longer fnal flm with more elaborate sound design.

LOCATION NEW YORK CITY; LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Locations are subject to change. For start dates and tuition, please visit nyfa.edu

OVERVIEW COURSES This program is divided into two sections. The frst three weeks, before the • Director’s Craft holiday break, are divided between in-class hands-on instruction and the • Writing production of two short flms by each student. Students will take classes in • Editing Directing, Hands on Camera, Writing, and Editing. Students will learn to use • Hands-On Camera and Lighting an HD digital video camera, professional lighting packages, and Avid Media • Production Workshop Composer editing software. • Budgeting and Scheduling • Sound Design During the first week, students will learn the basic tools of filmmaking and begin shooting a series of film projects. Following production and post-production, students screen their work with their classmates and instructors and engage in critiques and discussion. All films in the first Please Note: curriculum and projects three weeks are non-dialogue, but students may add music. are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students After the holiday break, the students will take advanced classes in Directing, should consult the most recently Editing, and Writing. Students devote their time solely to the Final Film published campus catalog for the project—a flm of up to fve minutes with multiple soundtracks. Students most up to date course information. edit their project using Avid Media Composer on Apple computers.

372 The most hands-on intensive programs in the world.